Alex Bell is a thought-leading author, commentator and consultant on the future geopolitical, economic and social impact of water shortages. He argues that booming global populations and thirsty habits will lead to a crisis in the world’s water supply, with huge implications for our politics, our health, the way we plan cities, develop technology and do business.

In 2009, Alex published Peakwater, the first book to link the history of civilisation with the control of water. The book tells the story of water from a global perspective in order to drive home the seriousness of the issue, and the need for a debate on the solutions. He was subsequently hired by the Scottish Government to develop a world-leading water policy, which looked upon water both as a necessity and a potential economic asset. That led to a wider brief in Scotland, as the Head of Policy across government.